George Lightfoot low crawls with his M16 during Augusta in Army Boots.


George Lightfoot shoots an M16 during Augusta in Army Boots.


Commanding General Randy Strong presents George with his honorary second lieutenant award for completing Augusta in Army Boots.

George Lightfoot traded in his customary business attire to don combat fatigues at Fort Gordon's "Augusta in Army Boots." The program is an opportunity for civilians to understand what soldier citizens go through every day while providing service to their country.

George reported at o'dark hundred on June 28th and began a 24 hour period of training on military tactics, basic combat survival skills and ate MREs (meals ready to eat) under the direction of his army buddy. The citizen soldiers were required to sleep in tents for their overnight stay as well as lug a 75 pound battle pack with them wherever they went.

At the end of George's time at the fort, he and his fellow classmates were made honorary second lieutenants during an early morning ceremony.

Fort Gordon is the only installation in the country that has a program that welcomes such interaction between ordinary citizens and soldiers.